Entebbe, Uganda – Mary Robinson, the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Great Lakes Region of Africa, held talks in Entebbe on Thursday 02 May 2013, with President Yoweri Museveni focused on implementation of the Peace Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the region. The agreement was signed by 11 nations in February 2013 to end the cycles of conflict and crisis in the eastern DRC and to build peace.

The Special Envoy appreciated President Museveni’s expressed commitment to working closely with her in this capacity and toward the full implementation by all of the signatories of their commitments of the agreement. The Special Envoy commended the President’s existing efforts to contribute to solutions through hosting the ongoing Kampala talks under his presidency of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR). The Special Envoy also met with Defense Minister Crispus Kiyonga, facilitator of the talks. She urges the parties to achieve renewed momentum in that process. The Special Envoy recognizes the importance of regional efforts to contribute to solutions, and believes cooperation with the United Nations will be important to the success of the Framework agreement.

The Special Envoy is seriously concerned about what seems an atmosphere of rising tension and threatening rhetoric in recent days in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. In her ongoing discussions with the leaders in the region, the Special Envoy is stressing that the political cooperation through the Framework should remain the central focus of efforts to resolve the conflicts and achieve peace, security and development.

The Special Envoy also held meetings in Uganda with civil society organizations, including women’s groups, whose engagement she sees as crucial for ensuring the success of the Framework through full compliance with the commitments at the national, regional and international levels.

The Special Envoy departed Uganda for Burundi, for talks today and tomorrow, in continuation of her first visit to the region as Special Envoy. She will conclude the regional tour in South Africa on 4-5 May.

The UN and South Africa

South Africa was one of the original 51 founding members of the United Nations, which came into existence on 24 October 1945. Since its inception the membership of the Organization has grown to 192 States. More »